TOEFL_Tips

TOEFL® iBT Tips

TOEFL iBT Tips—from ETS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Open More Doors with TOEFL® iBT, the Key to Academic Success. . . 4

Introduction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

The TOEFL® Test—The Key to Academic Success.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 TOEFL Scores Open More Doors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 The New TOEFL iBT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 What’s New About the TOEFL iBT? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Why Were Changes Made to the TOEFL Test?.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

About the TOEFL iBT. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Format. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Question Types . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Toolbar.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 A.. TOEFL iBT Reading Section.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Academic Reading Skills. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Description .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 What is Different?.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 B.  TOEFL iBT Listening Section.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Academic Listening Skills . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Description. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 What is Different?.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

C.  TOEFL iBT Speaking Section.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Academic Speaking Skills . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Description .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Speaking Task Types . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 Independent Speaking.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 Integrated Speaking.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 What is Different?.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

D.  TOEFL iBT Writing Section. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 Academic Writing Skills.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 Description. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 Writing Task Types.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 Integrated Writing. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 Independent Writing. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25

Contents continued on next page.

TOEFL iBT Tips

What is Different?.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25

About Test Scores . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26

A.  Score Scales. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 B.  Rating of Speaking and Writing Responses.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 Speaking. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 Writing. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 C.  Score Reports.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

D.  Score Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28

General Skill-building Tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29

A.  Reading Tips.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 B.  Listening Tips.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 C.  Speaking Tips.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 D.  Writing Tips. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33

Test Preparation Tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35

Step 1:  View all the Test Materials to See What the Test is Like.. .. .. .. .. .. 35 Step 2:  Take an Online Practice Test.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36 Step 3:  Practice More on Your Weakest Skills.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38 Step 4:  Use Proven Test-Taking Strategies. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39

Register for the New TOEFL iBT. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	40
Step 1: Get a Copy of the Information and Registration Bulletin . . . . .	. 40
Step 2: Check the TOEFL Website for the List of Test Centers.. . . . . .	. 40
Step 3: Register . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	. 40
Questions Frequently Asked by Test Takers. . . . . . . . . . .	. 41

General.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41 Rollout. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41 Test Delivery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42 Test Registration. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42 Test Benefits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42 Test Preparation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43

Appendix. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44

Rubrics for Speaking Section.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44 Rubrics for Writing Section. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46 Score Comparisons.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48 Speaking Score Comparisons.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48 Total Score Comparisons. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49 Score Comparisons for Reading . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50

TOEFL iBT Tips

Score Comparisons for Listening. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51 Score Comparisons for Writing. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52 Converting Rubric Scores to Scaled Scores . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53

Percentile Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54 Standard Error of Measurement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54 Contacting ETS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54 Performance Feedback for Test Takers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55

TOEFL iBT Tips

TOEFL® iBT Tips—from ETS

Open More Doors with TOEFL® iBT, the Key to Academic Success

ETS (Educational Testing Service), created this publication.. ETS is the nonprofit educational organization in Princeton, New Jersey, USA, that develops and administers the TOEFL® test..

TOEFL® iBT Tips is designed to help English-language learners understand and prepare for the TOEFL® Internet-based test (TOEFL® iBT).. As learners prepare for the test, they also build the skills required for academic success.. TOEFL iBT Tips also supports ESL/EFL instructors and educational advisors as they help students with test preparation..

TOEFL iBT Tips does not replace the Information and Registration Bulletin for TOEFL Internet-based testing, which contains information test takers need to register for the test.. To download the Bulletin, visit the TOEFL website at www.ets.org/toefl or write to TOEFL Services, PO Box 6151, Princeton, NJ, 08541, USA, to receive a copy..

To receive updates, special offers, and discounts on test preparation materials, sign up for the TOEFL mailing list on the TOEFL website at www.ets.org/toefl..

Introduction

The TOEFL Test—The Key to Academic Success

Undergraduate, graduate, and postgraduate programs around the world require students to demonstrate their ability to communicate in English as an entrance requirement..

The TOEFL test gives students the opportunity to prove they can communicate ideas effectively by simulating university classroom and student life communication.. The language used in the test reflects real-life English-language usage in university lectures, classes, and laboratories.. It is the same language professors use when they discuss coursework or concepts with students.. It is the language students use in study groups and everyday university situations, such as buying books at the bookstore.. The reading passages are from real textbooks and course materials..

TOEFL Scores Open More Doors

The TOEFL test measures how well students use English, not just their knowledge of the language.. Because it is a valid and reliable test with unbiased, objective scoring, the TOEFL test confirms that a student has the English language skills necessary to succeed in an academic setting.. That’s why it has become the most popular and accessible Englishlanguage test in the world.. It has been administered more than 20 million times since 1964, and is available in more than 180 countries.. It is also the most accepted test in the world.. More than 6,000 colleges, universities, and agencies in 110 countries accept TOEFL scores.. That means that students have the flexibility to use their TOEFL test scores worldwide..

The New TOEFL iBT

First introduced in 2005, TOEFL iBT is being gradually introduced throughout the world.. The paper-based test continues to be offered to supplement the TOEFL iBT test center network and in countries where the TOEFL iBT is not yet available.. To view a list of TOEFL test center locations, visit the TOEFL website at www.ets.org/toefl..

4 TOEFL iBT Tips

What’s New About the TOEFL iBT?

NN It tests all four language skills that effective communication requires: Reading, Listening, Speaking, and Writing.. It emphasizes and measures English usage and communication ability in academic settings..

NN A Speaking section has been added. This section includes six tasks that require test takers to wear headphones and speak into a microphone when they respond.. The responses are digitally recorded and sent to ETS’s Online Scoring Network.. To ensure maximum objectivity and reliability, three to six certified ETS raters evaluate the responses on a scale of 0 to 4.. The average rating is then converted to a scaled score of 0 to 30.. Raters are constantly monitored every time they score a test to ensure the highest accuracy and quality control possible..

NN The Writing section has been expanded. The new test requires test takers to write a response to material they have heard and read.. In addition, test takers must compose an essay in support of an opinion.. Test takers’ typed responses to the writing tasks are sent to ETS’s Online Scoring Network where two to four raters evaluate the responses on a scale of 0 to 5.. The average rating is converted to a scaled score of 0 to 30..

NN Some questions require the test taker to use more than one English-language skill and combine or integrate information from more than one source, the same way students use English language every day in the classroom.. For example, sometimes test takers read a passage, listen to a short lecture about a topic, and then provide a written or spoken response.. TOEFL iBT helps test takers prove they can combine their Englishlanguage skills to communicate ideas effectively.. This ability is the key to academic success..

NN Note taking is allowed. Test takers can take notes on any section of the test the same way they would in a real college class.. Test takers can use the notes when answering test questions.. The notes are collected and destroyed before the test takers leave the test center..

NN The new test takes about four hours. Test takers complete all four sections of the test in one day, eliminating the need to travel to the test center twice..

NN It is delivered on computer via the Internet at secure test centers around the world.

NN The new scores help explain a test taker’s English-language skill level. ETS provides comprehensive scoring information, including four skill-section scores and a total score.. Performance feedback for each skill and level are available on page 56 of this publication and the TOEFL website at www.ets.org/toefl.. This feedback helps explain what the new scores mean.. Test takers also receive performance feedback on their score reports to support English-language learning.. The feedback describes test takers’ language proficiency levels and contains advice on how they can improve their language skills in the future..

NN Scores are now reported online. Test takers can view their scores online 15 business days after the test.. They can also choose to receive a copy of their score report by mail.. Colleges, universities, and agencies can go online to view the scores of those students who selected them as a score recipient.. They also continue to receive scores in paper and electronic formats..

Why Were Changes Made to the TOEFL Test?

NN To assess the ability to communicate successfully in an academic setting. The new test helps test takers determine their academic readiness.. It also helps institutions identify and select students with the English-communication skills required to succeed..

NN To simulate university communication. The new integrated tasks, which require more than one language skill to complete, reflect the way language is used on campus every day—from the classroom to the bookstore.. By simply preparing for the new TOEFL test, students will build the skills they need for academic success..

Introduction

Introduction 5

About the TOEFL iBT

Overview

The new TOEFL iBT consists of four sections: Reading, Listening, Speaking, and Writing.. The entire test is about four hours long and all sections are taken on the same day.. For a brief comparison of the three versions of the TOEFL test, visit www.ets.org/toefl and download TOEFL® iBT At a Glance..

Format

NN The new TOEFL iBT is administered via computer from a secure Internet-based testing network..

NN Instructions for answering questions are given within each section.. There is no computer tutorial..

NN TOEFL iBT is not computer-adaptive.. Each test taker receives items that cover the full range of ability..

NN Test takers can take notes throughout the entire test.. At the end of testing, all notes are collected and destroyed at the test center to ensure test security..

NN For the Speaking section, test takers wear noise-cancelling headphones and speak into a microphone.. Responses are digitally recorded and sent to ETS’s Online Scoring Network..

NN For the Writing section, test takers must type their responses.. The typed responses are sent to ETS’s Online Scoring Network..

NN Human raters, trained and certified by ETS, rate the Speaking and Writing responses..

The chart below shows the possible number of questions and the timing for each section.. The time limit for each section varies according to the number of questions.. Every test contains additional questions in the Reading or Listening Section..

The New Test Format

Test Section	Number of Questions	Timing
Reading	3–5 passages, 12–14 questions each	60–100 minutes
Listening	4–6 lectures, 6 questions each	60–90 minutes
	2–3 conversations, 5 questions each
Break		10 minutes
Speaking	6 tasks: 2 independent and 4 integrated	20 minutes
Writing	1 integrated task	20 minutes
	1 independent task	30 minutes

6 TOEFL iBT Tips

Question Types

The TOEFL iBT features many of the question types used on the computer-based test.. New questions involve integrated (combined) language skills and require test takers to:

●● read, listen, and then speak in response to a question ●● listen and then speak in response to a question

●● read, listen, and then write in response to a question

These new questions measure the student’s ability to use English to communicate effectively and determine if they have the language skills needed for academic success..

Toolbar

The toolbar in each section allows test takers to navigate through the test with ease.. The following are examples of testing tools from the Listening and Reading sections of the new test.. The section is always found in the upper left-hand corner of the toolbar..

This is what the toolbar looks like in the Listening section..

●● Test takers always know what question they are answering and how much time is left in the section.. It is possible to hide this clock at any time by clicking on Hide Time..

●● Volume enables test takers to adjust the volume of the Listening material..

●● Help gives test takers a way to get relevant help.. When test takers use the Help feature, the clock does not stop..

●● Next allows test takers to proceed to the next question..

●● Once test takers click on Next, they can confirm their answers by clicking on OK.. In the Listening section, test takers cannot see a question again once they click on OK..

The toolbar for the Reading section has some unique features..

●● Test takers can view the entire passage when answering questions.. For some questions, they need to click View Text to see the entire reading passage..

●● They can view all of their answers by clicking on Review.. This allows them to return to any other question and change their answers.. They can also see which questions they have skipped and still need to answer..

●● In the Reading section, test takers can also click on Back at any time to return to the previous question..

iBT TOEFL the About

About the TOEFL iBT 7

A. TOEFL iBT Reading Section

Academic Reading Skills

The Reading section measures the test taker’s ability to understand university-level academic texts and passages.. In many academic settings around the world, students are expected to read and understand information from textbooks and other academic materials written in English.. The following are three purposes for academic reading:

Reading to find information

●● effectively scanning text for key facts and important information ●● increasing reading fluency and rate

Basic comprehension

●● understanding the general topic or main idea, major points, important facts and details, vocabulary in context, and pronoun references1

●● making inferences2 about what is implied in a passage

Reading to learn

●● recognizing the organization and purpose of a passage ●● understanding relationships between ideas

●● organizing information into a category chart or a summary in order to recall major points and important details

●● inferring how ideas throughout the passage connect

Description

Reading Section Format

Length of Passage	Number of Passages and Questions	Timing
Approximately 700 words	3–5 passages	60–100 minutes
	12–14 questions per passage

Reading passages: The TOEFL iBT uses reading passages from university-level textbooks that introduce a discipline or topic.. The excerpts are changed as little as possible so the TOEFL iBT can measure how well students can read academic material..

The passages cover a variety of different subjects.. Test takers should not be concerned if they are unfamiliar with a topic.. The passage contains all the information needed to answer the questions..

All passages are classified into three basic categories:

●● Exposition3

●● Argumentation4

●● Historical

1Pronoun references—The nouns that pronouns refer to in a passage

2Make an inference—To comprehend an argument or an idea that is strongly suggested, but not explicitly stated in a passage

3Exposition—Material that provides an explanation of a topic

4Argumentation—Material that presents a point of view about a topic and provides evidence to support it

8 TOEFL iBT Tips